Political Silence on Europe's Heat Deaths and Wildfires: Climate Policy No Longer 'Fashionable'

A striking political silence has fallen over Europe concerning the thousands of heat-related deaths and devastating wildfires that have gripped the continent this summer. Political scientist Dave Sinardet from VUB observes that the climate issue has significantly receded from the political forefront in recent years.

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I am furious.

Sinardet explains that the focus has shifted towards strengthening European industry and economic autonomy, making advocacy for ambitious climate policies less fashionable. He attributes this shift partly to the 2024 elections, which saw more right-wing parties, often holding different views on climate policy, gain seats across Europe. Sinardet warns that this current lack of attention might be temporary, suggesting that the issue could be forgotten once autumn and winter arrive.

Climate scientist Jean-Pascal van Ypersele voiced strong criticism, stating, "I am furious." He believes climate policy has been inadequate for years, leading to severe consequences. Van Ypersele expressed shock at the lack of official acknowledgment for the over 2,000 heat-related deaths, noting the absence of a moment of silence or official statements from prime ministers or regional ministers.

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Where is the attention for the more than 2,000 heat deaths in our country? There was no minute of silence, no official statement from the prime minister, and not from the Flemish, Walloon, and Brussels ministers. I find that shocking.

Green party politicians are attempting to bring the issue back to the political agenda. Party leader Aimen Horch has called on Prime Minister Bart De Wever to convene an emergency summit at the European level to address the heat and climate crisis. Horch highlighted that Europe is experiencing unprecedented heat crises, wildfires, and droughts, describing it as the deadliest crisis since COVID-19, yet a high-level response remains absent.

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Advocating for ambitious climate policy is no longer fashionable.

Sinardet further elaborated on the political silence, noting that the consequences of climate change once seemed less tangible than other crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, where the threat felt more immediate. However, he stressed that the primary explanation lies in shifting political priorities. "Politics is always a struggle between priorities. And the attention for the climate theme has clearly decreased in recent years. Not just in Belgium, but in all of Europe," he stated. Issues like industry, economic autonomy, and geopolitical security have taken precedence, partly due to events like the war in Ukraine.

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Politics is always a struggle between priorities. And the attention for the climate theme has clearly decreased in recent years. Not just in Belgium, but in all of Europe.